Bulk Convert Files from a Shared Google Drive Folder to PDF
Shared folders in Google Drive let teams collaborate on documents. Exporting all those documents to PDF for archiving, distribution, or client handoff requires the same process as a personal Drive folder, as long as you have the right access. Open the shared folder, select all files, and run the extension.
Access requirements for shared folders
Viewer access to a file is enough to export it to PDF. If the folder owner has set 'Viewers can't download, print, or copy', then exports from that folder will fail. Ask the folder owner to update permissions if you need PDF exports.
Navigating to a shared folder
If someone shared a folder link with you, open it in Drive and you will see it in 'Shared with me' in the left panel. Navigate into the folder and select files the same way you would in your personal Drive.
Where the PDFs are saved
PDFs download to your local machine, not to the shared folder. If others on the team need the PDFs, upload them to a shared location after the batch completes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be added to the folder as an editor to export PDFs?
No. Viewer access is sufficient for PDF export.
Can I share the exported PDFs back to the shared folder?
Yes. After the batch export, upload the PDFs to the shared folder manually. You need Contributor or Editor access to add files to the shared folder.
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